4) Johanna Konta
Johanna Konta is known for being the first British woman to crack the top 10 of the WTA rankings in the last 30 years.
Konta was born to Hungarian parents in Sydney, Australia, before moving to the UK when she was 14. She used to represent Australia until 2012, but switched to representing Great Britain after becoming a British citizen in May 2012. Konta's grandfather used to play international football for Hungary in the 1950s.
2016 was undoubtedly the best year in Konta's career, having started the year ranked 47, and finishing in the top 10, peaking at number 9.
Konta made a dream main draw at the Australian Open, reaching the semi-finals. This was her first semi-final at the Grand Slam level. Her run included a 1st round win over the legendary Venus Williams at the Rod Laver Arena, losing to eventual champion Angelique Kerber in the semis.
This made her the first female British tennis player to reach a Grand Slam singles semifinal in 32 years. This year also saw her win the first WTA title of her career at Stanford. Konta also reached the quarter-finals at the Rio Olympics, losing to eventual silver medalist, Angelique Kerber. She was voted the WTA's Most Improved Player of the Year, with over 80% votes.
The off-season brought about tragic news for Konta, with the sudden news of the passing away of her sports psychologist, Juan Coto, whom she often credited with helping her ascent to the top.
She also had an unexpected split with her coach, Esteban Carrill. But picking herself up from the double hit, she has gone ahead with a three-week training block she had planned at the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in France, getting ready for the 2017 season.
She has also signed a new trial coach, Wim Fissette, and is looking to put the personal setbacks behind her before she takes to competing in the new season.
